Some people wonder why small jockeys are so appealing to horse racing. It’s not their size, but their fit. While jockeys from larger backgrounds have their own advantages, small jockeys have a unique advantage. Lightweight riders allow their horses to run faster. Hence, small jockeys are naturally attracted to horse racing. But, are they stunting their growth? To find out, read on.
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While jockeys are permitted to grow to any height, the requirements for weight and size are strict. Because of this, many jockeys struggle with weight and growth. Many are diagnosed with eating disorders. In addition, jockeys often skip meals before a big race. So, are jockeys really stunted? This article explores this question. Here are some surprising facts. Read on to find out how jockeys keep themselves in shape.
Jocks are generally smaller than average compared to other members of the population. In fact, Johnny Sellers, the tallest jockey in Kentucky Derby history, was 580 pounds. The average jockey weighs between 108 and 118 pounds. Their height can also affect a horse’s speed. However, it is still difficult to determine how jockey size affects a horse’s performance. In order to keep up with these requirements, jockeys often have to go through extreme weight-loss routines.
Diuretics
It is well known that dehydration can lead to impaired reaction time and slower reaction time. A hungry, dizzy jockey on a 450kg horse is a potential hazard to everyone on the track. The PJA is hoping to increase the minimum weight to 49kg, which is roughly the equivalent of a 13-year-old boy. While crash dieting is still a major cause of health complications, new emphasis has been put on education and support services for jockeys in the UK.
Jocks’ body weight is closely monitored during training and competition to avoid overtraining. The energy cost for competitive training is much lower than in other sports. As a result, they must constantly make up lost weight. In fact, 80 per cent of jockeys report requiring weight loss twice weekly. Some use saunas and garbage bags to lose weight, restricting their meals to a sports drink, and resorting to diuretics in order to make up for lost calories. Jocks report a debilitating effect of weight loss, which can be exacerbated by poor mood.
Exercise
While exercise does not stunt jockey growth, the sport has become increasingly risky for athletes. The increased weight carried by the horse forces jockeys to maintain a low body weight, resulting in decreased bone density and brittle bones. While crash dieting is still prevalent in the sport, experts recommend a high-complex-carbohydrate diet for energy and weight control. The PJA hopes to raise the minimum weight requirement to 49kg, the same size as an average teenage boy.
The impact of exercise on growth in adolescents and children is difficult to assess because of nonrandom selection criteria and lack of information on the magnitude of energy cost of physical activity. However, exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy body composition and is a major source of mechanical and metabolic stimulation for the musculoskeletal system and increases GH secretion, two important hormones related to growth. In addition, the effects of exercise on jockey growth are not limited to the musculoskeletal system.
Diet
Jocks’ weight can fluctuate greatly due to their regular racing schedule. They must weigh themselves before each race to make sure they remain within the required weight range. Many jockeys use extreme methods of exercise and weight loss to reach their target weight. Some even skip meals to shed weight before big races. Diet is also a problem in the horseracing world, as many jockeys use diuretics to lose weight.
Jocks have unique metabolisms. Because of this, proper diet is critical to the growth and health of jockeys. For instance, if a jockey has a fast metabolism, the diet must be tailored to accommodate that. A calorie-controlled diet will be more effective for an individual jockey than one that loses weight quickly. Diet should be based on individual requirements, not a standard formula.
